'It's always good to hear big clubs abroad saying nice things about you and Gareth deserves all the praise he is getting,' Defoe told the Daily Mirror. 'But just look at how long it took for him to adapt to moving between clubs here in England. He moved to Spurs from Southampton three years ago.

Smells like team spirit: Bale's Spurs team-mates have been quick to praise the Wales international's devastating wing play against Inter

'It's not as easy as people may think. To do it abroad must be even harder. In any case, I remember the manager saying earlier this season that we are probably two players away from winning the Premier League.

'I'd agree, which is why I don't see my own future anywhere else but at Spurs. Tottenham are not a selling club. We are a coming force and big clubs keep their best players.

'There are not many squads stronger than ours in the Premier League. Yes, Manchester City have the money to buy anyone they like but we have a team spirit that takes time to build.'

Defoe cautioned against going overboard about Bale's rise to prominence, but the England striker admitted he can't wait to get playing again with the Welsh wing wizard firing in crosses like those which felled Inter.

Defoe is hoping to return for the north London derby against Arsenal in a fortnight after spending two months out with torn ankle ligaments. Of Bale, he said: 'He is the ideal wingman because when he gets down there and you are waiting in the box, you know he is going to find you. It's the same with Aaron Lennon on the right.

Comeback trail: Defoe is hoping to return for the north London derby against Arsenal in a fortnight after spending two months out with torn ankle ligaments

'I can see why it's a dream for Peter Crouch to play in the Spurs team at the moment. It changes your game. If you have a wideman who has the ball on the halfway line but doesn't have that pace, you know you'll have to come short for the ball to receive it.

'But when Gareth gets the ball you can just get into the box. If your movement is right, you can get 10 to 15 goals a season - tap-ins.

'Even in training, I will stay behind and do one-touch finishing - crossing, finishing, crossing, finishing - because I know that's what's going to happen in a game. Gareth is always going to get his cross in.'